For this Christmas, say it with words with Art on Tiles

 Art on Tiles – the bespoke hand painted tile company – is offering a chance for homeowners to express their individuality with a service offering hand painted tiles featuring the wording, layout and even the font of the client’s choosing.

Jonathan Waights, principal artist and founder says: “People can come up with whatever they like - it is a chance to be completely individual, witty or romantic, to quote someone else or make something up. Quotes about food and eating are very popular for the tiles above the stove. Quotes for the bathroom tend to be more romantic – or even a bit naughty.’

The Art on Tiles standard hand painted 5 inch tiles with one letter per tile can be ordered for £10 each and blank matching tiles are also available for £1.20 each. The brick shaped tiles shown here are £12 painted and £2.20 plain, with a moulded border available for an additional £4 each.

This range and others can be seen and ordered from www.artontiles.co.uk or readers can contact Jonathan direct on 01243 552346.

Examples of past commissions:

http://www.artontiles.co.uk/tile-info-Herbs-112

http://www.artontiles.co.uk/tile-info-Words-147

http://www.artontiles.co.uk/tile-info-Aga-tile-panel-words-253

(EDITOR: This will make a Christmas present that will last, in effect, for ever. What a wonderful gift!) 

Where can you see a lock of Henry Ford's hair or a pigeon with three legs?

At Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is one of the few attractions in London that remains open 365 days a year, including Chirstmas Day!

Guests can find a three legged pigeon, an eight legged Siamese calf and a lock of Henry Ford’s hair, along with in excess of 700 curiosities from all around the world on display, perfect for a family day out that is a little out of the ordinary.

Home to the weird, wonderful and just plain bizarre at the central London attraction you can check your weight against the world’s fattest man, take a peek at the 75 million year old dinosaur eggs or even threaten the young ones with the ultimate sanction – behave or risk ending up like one of the real Amazonian shrunken heads.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is open seven days a week, 365 days a year from 10am until midnight. Tickets to this world of wonders situated in the heart of London’s West End start from £22.95 per adult and £18.95 per child. Family tickets are available from £73.95 based on two adults and two children. For full pricing options please visit www.ripleyslondon.com. 

Check for special Christmas events!

Have an Alphatastic Christmas!

There are few things more special for your little child or baby than having their name right in the heart of a beautiful piece of artwork. At a little website www.alphatastic.com husband and wife team, Matt and Terri Beckenham, create beautiful childrens name pictures that will bring some magical flare to your childs room or nursery. From Noah’s Ark to Fairies and Pirates to Princesses, you can be sure to find an ‘Alphatastic’ theme to suit their personality.

Every one uniquely created each and every time from their exclusive beautiful hand-drawn artworks, ensuring that each is as individual as your special little people. No two pictures ever the same!

Alphatastic.com is a truly unique website that takes personalised art to a whole new level, using fine art reproduction methods and conservation grade mounting and framing – ensuring quality to last a lifetime.

So even when the memories begin to fade, your Alphatastic name picture will still be as vibrant as it is today – the perfect way to capture these early innocent years.

They make great Christmas or Birthday presents and what better gift for a Baptism, Christening or naming Ceremony?!

They also have gift voucher options for those of us who leave things until the last minute… and these make the perfect gift for someone leaving work on maternity leave!

For more information on these exquisite personalised pictures, visit www.alphatastic.com.

Christmas at Sainsbury's

This year you must make Sainsbury's a part of your Christmas plans. Whatever you are looking for, from the Turkey to a vegetarian feast, from Mince Pies to a Christmas cake, from pork pies to fresh vegetables, from big presents to stocking fillers with the “ahhh” factor, from real ales to fine wines, from cream cheese to best quality Stilton and more besides, you'll find them all at your nearest Sainsbury's store.

Why is this the case? Because all year round expert buyers from Sainbury's head office are constantly searching the world for the best of the best to ensure that you can provide your family with the best of the best, too!

And you will find that no matter which part of the United Kingdom you are in; England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you will find that the store employs highly trained staff who can offer you advice on the best cuts of meat, depending on several factors, such as what you need it for, what your budget is, and so forth, which wines or beers go best with what foods, and so forth.

You will also find Christmas cards, Christmas crackers, decorations, new kitchenware, new cutlery, new dinner services and more besides.

Pop into your nearest Sainsbury's store to find out how you can have a very Merry Christmas at prices that will be a good deal keener than you might think!

Or visit them at www.sainsburys.co.uk

Get yourself Aloft in London. New Aloft Hotel opens with Aloft London Excel

The world's fastest growing mid-market hotel brand introduces affordable, loft-style accommodation to London.

London – Aloft® Hotels have now launched in the UK with the opening of Aloft London Excel in the heart of London’s Docklands. The new destination sensation brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Aloft is created to shake up the staid and traditional mid-market hotel sector by delivering urban-influenced design and an energetic guest experience at an affordable price point.

In the same year that Starwood Hotels launched its world-renowned W brand in the UK market, the innovative hotel giant has brought a second new brand to London, Aloft. With prices starting at £120 per room per night, Aloft London Excel will feature 252 loft-like guest rooms, a buzzing bar scene, a grab-and-go food pantry and industrial design elements throughout.

Situated next to the ExCeL international exhibition and convention centre, Aloft London offers something new to savvy travellers tired of the bland, one-size-fits-all mid-market hotel model. With East London seeing much regeneration ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games, the hotel is perfectly situated within easy reach of the Olympic Park, Westfield Stratford City and The O2.

Aloft London Excel’s key features and guest facilities include:

• Stylish and spacious rooms designed by Rockwell Group featuring Aloft’s signature ceilings of nearly three metres high, oversized windows and platform beds
• Large walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads and complimentary Bliss Spa products
• 42” LCD TVs and plug ‘n play docking stations, allowing guests to link their computer and tunes straight to the TV
• Fast & free wireless access across the whole hotel, including all guest roomsre:mixSM lounge – an open, atmospheric space where guests can play a game of pool, enjoy drinks with friends and enjoy the free WiFi

• wxyzSM bar – the place to meet, mix & mingle, home to signature cocktails and regular DJ nights
• Quick and easy check-in with the touch-n-go kiosk – touch screen technology which allows guests to choose their exact room and floor, confirm rates, pick-up keys and even print boarding passes
• re:fuel by AloftSM – a one-stop, 24-hour grab-and-go food and beverage area, offering sweet, savoury and healthy food, snacks and beverages
• re:chargeSM fitness centre – open 24/7 for guests’ gym fix day or night
• splash swimming pool – an oasis of calm where guests can de-stress and re-energise after a hard day’s work
• tactic – a suite of five high-tech meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art audio visual, plasma TV and complimentary WiFi
• arfSM – Animals R Fun, an exclusive pet-friendly programme where furry friends can enjoy a stay with an Aloft-branded bed, bowl and complimentary treats and toys
  
  

FACTFILE:
Aloft London Excel is the second Aloft property in Europe following the opening of Aloft Brussels Schuman in September 2010. Aloft Hotels represents the fastest brand launch in hospitality industry history with the Aloft portfolio now including over 50 properties spanning six countries: US, China, Canada, India, Belgium and the UAE.

Aloft London Excel has been developed by ExCeL London’s parent company, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), also owners of Aloft Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s first Aloft hotel, which is located adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Situated at ExCeL’s Eastern entrance at the Royal Victoria Dock, Aloft London Excel will have direct covered access to Prince Regent Station on the Docklands Light Railway, less than 30 minutes from the shops Oxford Street and the buzzing nightlife of Shoreditch, so this is an ideal hotel for use as a base for Chirstmas shopping and taking in the West End shows!

For details visit www.alofthotels.com.

From skating and ice sculpting to shopping and Santa Claus, Canary Wharf has Christmas wrapped up

The iconic, cosmopolitan Canary Wharf will be buzzing with Christmas cheer over the winter months with a stellar line-up of festive events and an impressive 200 shops, bars and restaurants offering tempting treats and an array of gifts, perfect for under the tree.

Returning for the 7th year, the spectacular Canary Wharf Ice Rink – London’s longest running ice rink - will welcome skaters from Saturday 12 November 2011 to Sunday 19 February 2012. Launched last year by Olympic medallist and Dancing on Ice contestant Sharron Davies MBE and the The Imperial Ice Stars, the rink offers some of the best facilities in London...and with The Park Pavilion home to Canteen, ROKA, the parlour and Wahaca on its doorstep, those who prefer to wrap-up warm and soak up the ambiance are well catered for too.

For little ones brimming with holiday spirit, Canary Wharf offers an array of magical events and performances to enchant even the most lively and excitable of children. Celebrations kick off with Santa’s Arrival Weekend on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December 2011, as Santa’s Grotto - a spectacular sleigh pulled by two giant reindeer – arrives in Jubilee Place. With Santa in residence every weekend throughout December and during the final week before Christmas, there is plenty of time to tell him your Christmas wishes and support the Richard House Children’s Hospice, who receive a donation for every child that visits.

On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December 2011, Santa and his friends will also be busy entertaining in Canary Wharf’s East Wintergarden at Santa’s Showtime, a spectacular free festive show for all the family to enjoy.  Elsewhere, those ‘Little Helpers’ looking for a more hands-on activity should visit the shopping malls for free art and craft workshops and face painting, running every weekend throughout December.

With the children busy preparing for the festive season ahead, why not take the opportunity to go Christmas shopping. The annual festive shopping event returns on Thursday 1 December 2011, with fashion shows, on-stage entertainment, demonstrations, tempting in-store discounts and goodie bag giveaways enticing Christmas shoppers to both Cabot Place and Jubilee Place.

With an impressive array of luxury and aspirational brands including Tiffany & Co, Links of London, Jo Malone, Molton Brown, Aquascutum, Hackett, Myla and Jaeger London, Canary Wharf has something for everyone, whether it’s a gift for a loved one or that perfect party dress for the celebrations ahead.

Looking to 2012, Canary Wharf will once again host the world-class London Ice Sculpting Festival from Friday 13 - Sunday 15 January 2012, welcoming international artists back to Canary Wharf for a fantastic three days of fast-paced sculpting, chiselling and carving.

Camille Waxer, Chief Administrative Officer at Canary Wharf Group plc comments: “Canary Wharf really comes alive at Christmas. With so many unique festive events, one of the London’s best ice rinks and a first-class retail and restaurant offering, Canary Wharf buzzes from the moment the Christmas lights turn on to when the last skater leaves the ice in February.”

All Canary Wharf Arts & Events are listed at www.canarywharf.com

Make your Christmas a Basingstoke Christmas, this year!

Make your Christmas a Basingstoke Christmas, this year!

What’s On Guides: Festival Place shopping centre Christmas activity
Hampshire-based shopping centre, Festival Place, is gearing up for the Christmas season this year with a ho ho host of events for all the family!

Christmas Light Switch On 18 November from 5pm Hosted by TV presenter Olly Smith and featuring Hollywood stars Alvin & The Chipmunks and music by Fil Straughton and friends, this star-packed event is a great start to the festive season.

Santa Parade and Fun with Santa 4 December
Santa will be the star of the parade driving the smallest car in the world, accompanied on his journey by music, comedy and Christmas characters.


Santa’s Grotto 8 November - 24 December
Santa will be waiting in his Grotto ready to receive Christmas wishes from local children.


Nativity Petting Farm 10 & 17 December 11am - 3pm
A charming scene including animals from the traditional Nativity Story, all gathered in a special petting farm.

Christmas Storytelling and Nativity Treasure Hunt 22 & 23 December

Live Nativity 24 December midday

After a small parade, local church groups (and live animals!) will hold a live dramatisation of the Christmas story, followed by carol singing.

Further details of all events can be found on Festival Place’s website, as well as information on gift wrapping services, ticket lines and Christmas opening hours.

To find out more just visit www.festivalplace.co.uk